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[jeremystrause]

I know if you don't have a degree in a science-related field you have to take a certain number of hours of science classes. Can you take 24 hours of physics and still major in political science or is that not possible? Just asking because I want to be a patent lawyer but I want to get a BA in political science, not a BS in physics or another similar field.

[SoCalProductDev]

The USPTO website spells it all out for you.  Basically, you need science or engineering in your background.  Check out the OED section of their website for the registration to practice examination requirements.

[Oh, Crud]

I know if you don't have a degree in a science-related field you have to take a certain number of hours of science classes. Can you take 24 hours of physics and still major in political science or is that not possible? Just asking because I want to be a patent lawyer but I want to get a BA in political science, not a BS in physics or another similar field.

Jeremy, as the other poster mentions, you can find the requirements (how many hours of this/that) to take the patent bar regardless of actual degree you hold.

But while passing the patent bar and completing law school/state bar will allow you to use the title "patent attorney", having a BA in polysci will be a big impediment to employment as a patent attorney.  Unless you land a job in patent litigation, in which case the physics classes (and patent bar) are not that much needed.

[MYK]

Sure, as long as you do a double major in something useful.




Actually, one of my classmates did exactly that.  24 credits of physics, and a history degree.  He was allowed to take the patent bar, and passed.  He's not going to be doing patent work, but as far as the PTO is concerned, he can.

[SoCalProductDev]

Even if you never do patent work, I think that having a registration number will never do your resume any harm.  I believe that this applies for both folks with a legal career/education as well as those in technical or science fields.

[TXPATLAWYER]

If you don't have a technical degree, forget about becoming a patent lawyer because no hiring partner with a brain in his/her head would hire you as a patent attorney(they might hire you for doc review  ).